| UK. Nimrod lives on as RAF get 12 exceptional maritime patrol aircraft |
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| Wednesday, 19 July 2006 | |
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Government news: The RAF is to get 12 Nimrod MRA4 aircraft under a £1.1bn contract announced by Defence Secretary, Des Browne. The Nimrod MRA4 is a highly advanced aircraft fitted with the latest navigation and reconnaissance systems. It will be used for search and rescue operations and long range anti-surface and submarine hunting missions. It has a range of over 6,000 miles and patrol endurance of 15 hours. Operational environments have changed since the existing MR2 aircraft were designed and the MRA4 offers more flexibility for the RAF for a variety of different roles. Des Browne said "I am very pleased to announce this contract for 12 aircraft, which will help secure over 1,000 high-tech UK jobs. These aircraft are fitted with highly advanced technology and will give our Armed Forces an exceptional patrol aircraft and far greater flexibility. The Nimrod MRA4's will be able to operate a wider surveillance role over land and sea as well as continuing to fulfil the vital search and rescue role that the aircraft is already so well known for." The revised contracting arrangements offer greater transparency, and an essential part in turning the project around was the development of an effective partnering relationship between MoD, BAE Systems and its supply chain. These are key elements of the recently published Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). Delivery of the first production aircraft to RAF Kinloss is planned for 2009. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 July 2006 ) |
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